5 Chicago Cubs who could make the National League All-Star team with fan voting underway
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A first-place team with the best record in the National League is bound to land on the radar of baseball fans.
The Chicago Cubs could have multiple representatives at the All-Star Game next month as they entered Wednesday, when the first phase of All-Star Game voting began, with the best winning percentage in the National League while sitting atop the division.
All-Star Game voting will continue through June 26 when the top-two vote-getters at each position and the top six outfielders in each league will be revealed and advance to the second phase of voting. That will determine who starts for each league. The full teams will be announced July 6 ahead of the All-Star Game on July 15 at Truist Park in Atlanta.
The Cubs last had multiple All-Stars in 2023, when they were represented by left-hander Justin Steele, right-hander Marcus Stroman and shortstop Dansby Swanson, though the latter two did not play in the game. The 2025 All-Star Game could be the first time the Cubs have multiple position players in the Midsummer Classic since 2022, when catcher Willson Contreras and left fielder Ian Happ made it.
'You get a brand of baseball that's fun to watch, obviously winning games and playing good baseball, but you have guys that are fun so it helps showcase everybody on a national stage,' Happ said. 'I think we should have a number of guys representing the Cubs there, and what a fun trip that'll be for those guys to be able to enjoy that together.'
Some NL positions are stacked, which could thwart some deserving players of All-Star honors, but the Cubs have a few who are building a compelling case to be included.
If the season ended today, Crow-Armstrong would be firmly in the NL MVP conversation. The 23-year-old has been electric in all facets. His defense in center field could win him his first Gold Glove Award, and his combination of power and speed continues to put him in rare company by slugging 15 home runs and 15 doubles and stealing 21 bases through 60 games.
Crow-Armstrong leads all NL players in fWAR (3.6) and is one of only three to have eclipsed the 3.0 WAR mark so far, joining the Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (3.2) and the Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll (3.0). At this point, it'll qualify as a shock if Crow-Armstrong isn't representing the Cubs in Atlanta.
Although his jammed right ring finger kept him out of the lineup Wednesday for a second straight game, Tucker's consistency has him among the best hitters in his first season in the NL. He owns the second-best wRC+ (155) and wOBA (.391) among NL outfielders and is fifth in fWAR (2.5).
Tucker has shown an incredible approach at the plate, highlighted by his 14.9 K% (fourth best) and 11.9 K% (tied for lowest).
Suzuki's status as a designated hitter, rather than an outfielder, could be a hindrance with Ohtani and the Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber also on the ballot. But for as much as Suzuki likes to say he isn't a home run hitter, his 14 homers trail only Ohtani (23) and Schwarber (19) among DHs, and he has been an RBI machine.
Suzuki's 53 RBIs are one behind MLB leader Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox. When Suzuki is locked in, few hitters are more dangerous.
Although Kelly has cooled off at the plate the last two weeks after a scorching start, he still has been among the most valuable catchers. His 1.5 fWAR is third among NL backstops while his 161 wRC+ and .401 wOBA are second to the Dodgers' Will Smith and his .538 slugging percentage is first.
Kelly also has been a defensive asset, committing just one error and helping a pitching staff that has owns the sixth-best ERA.
Don't let the lack of home runs deter from evaluating Hoerner's all-around game. He has been hovering around a .300 average, putting him in rare company among second basemen, and Hoerner has been elite at making contact, owning just a 7.6 K%.
Hoerner has been at his best with runners in scoring position, posting a 178 wRC+ and .427 wOBA, which are tops at his position. His defense returned to Gold Glove levels, and he has shown his base-running ability beyond steals.
Unfortunately for Busch, the first-base position is stacked in the NL. The Dodgers' Freddie Freeman (2.8 fWAR, 192 wRC+) and New York Mets' Pete Alonso (1.8, 158) are the front-runners at the spot with the Phillies' Bryce Harper (1.3, 136) and Atlanta Braves' Matt Olson (1.5, 121) also having strong seasons.
Busch's performance through two months shouldn't be overlooked. Through 56 games, he ranks third in wRC+ (152), wOBA (.388) and slugging percentage (.519) and fourth in fWAR (1.4). He quietly has been a big part of the Cubs' offensive success and consistency.
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San Francisco Chronicle
33 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Cam Smith's meteoric rise to the majors: A story of dedication and discipline
HOUSTON (AP) — When Cam Smith made his MLB debut on opening day for the Houston Astros, it was the third-fastest that someone had gone from the draft to the majors. Selected 14th overall by the Cubs in last year's draft, Smith played just 32 minor league games, including five at Double-A, before moving to the big leagues. Behind the rookie's meteoric ascent was years of work, preparation and planning coupled with a team working behind the scenes to help him reach the majors in near record time. His mother muses about him being 'too serious.' His hitting coach Aaron Capista says that he's 'built different.' Jason Romano, his longtime adviser and current agent at Excel Sports Management, says that he's unlike anyone he's ever known. Teammate Mauricio Dubon proclaims: 'He's gonna be a big star in the big leagues.' Smith routinely arrives at the ballpark more than six hours before night games, has never had a sip of alcohol and says he hasn't even tried anything with caffeine. 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The pair often attended spring training and minor league games in Jupiter, Florida. The young Smith was way more into the arcade on the concourse than watching the games. 'It's always funny to talk about how I wasn't too interested and now I do it for a living,' he said. By high school, he'd grown to love the game but still wasn't sure he could make it a career until scouts started coming to his games. 'Then I realized that I can play this for a long time,' he said. His first offer was from Florida Atlantic, and when the longtime Florida State fan got his second offer from the Seminoles, he immediately committed to them. After his freshman season at Florida State, his advisers recognized that he needed help to stop chasing pitches, correct some swing-and-miss issues and adjust his high groundball rate before playing in the Cape Cod League. They knew it was his chance to make an impression with scouts and raise his draft status. 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USA Today
34 minutes ago
- USA Today
Tyrese Haliburton strikes again. Pacers' dirty word? Turnovers. Chet Holmgren disappears.
Tyrese Haliburton strikes again. Pacers' dirty word? Turnovers. Chet Holmgren disappears. Show Caption Hide Caption Pacers and Thunder NBA Finals is better than it's 'small-market' billing USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the star-studded NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Sports Pulse If Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals was any indication of what the rest of the series holds, hoops fans should be delighted. The Indiana Pacers stole Game 1 from the Oklahoma City Thunder, 111-110, on Tyrese Haliburton's thrilling game-winning jumper with 0.3 seconds left. For the Pacers, it was yet another comeback victory from a deficit of at least 15 points, their fifth of the 2025 postseason. Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all players with 38 points on 14-of-30 shooting, while Indiana forward Pascal Siakam paced his team with 19 points and 10 rebounds. The Pacers had six players, including all five starters, reach double-figures in scoring. OPINION: Pacers teach Thunder hard lesson in NBA Finals Game 1. You cannot count them out. MORE: Tyrese Haliburton game-winners: Pacers star has been hero throughout 2025 NBA playoffs The winners and losers from Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder: WINNERS Tyrese Haliburton, Mr. Clutch, strikes again This was a good — not great — game for Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Held in check for most of the game, Haliburton shined brightest in the clutch, as he has all season. Haliburton finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, but his game-winning, 21-foot jumper over Thunder guard Cason Wallace is what makes him a singular talent. WATCH: Tyrese Haliburton's game-winning shot in NBA Finals Game 1 This season, Haliburton is 13-of-15 (86.7%) on shots inside the final two minutes (including overtime) to tie or take the lead. He has scored 32 points across those 15 attempts, giving him 2.13 points per shot attempt in such scenarios. In the postseason alone, Haliburton is 6-of-7 (85.7%) on shots inside the final two minutes to tie or take the lead. The Pacers clamp down on defense Much of the attention from the wild Pacers comeback will go to its up-tempo offense in the fourth quarter. Don't sleep on Indiana's defense. Despite being put in compromising spots because of their 25 turnovers, the Pacers hustled back on defense and recovered in transition. That's why the Thunder were never able to ignite on debilitating runs; despite losing the turnover battle 25-7, Indiana ceded just 11 points off those giveaways, compared to the four the Pacers scored. In the final two-and-a-half minutes, the Pacers gave up just two points. They held the Thunder to just 1-of-6 shooting in that span. Andrew Nembhard As he has throughout this postseason, Nembhard had another seemingly quiet but massive game, especially when his team needed it most. Nembhard scored eight of his 14 points in the fourth, including a massive, stepback 3 over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — his teammate on Canada Basketball — with 1:59 to play. His most significant contribution, however, might have been on defense. For much of the fourth, Nembhard served as the primary defender on Gilgeous-Alexander. Nembhard limited SGA to four shot attempts in the period, and his physicality on Gilgeous-Alexander's final attempt with 11 seconds left helped set up Haliburton's game-winner. The Pacers clear the glass In the regular season, the Pacers were tied for 27th in rebounds, hauling in just 41.8 per game. The Thunder were tied for 11th (44.8). Yet, in Game 1, Indiana outworked OKC and claimed a 56-39 edge, or a +17 differential. 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Pacers turnovers The Pacers have grit, at this point there can be no question. But Indiana should also consider itself to be quite fortunate. That's because, simply put, there is no way the Pacers can win this series if they turn the ball over anywhere near the way they did in Game 1. Indiana committed 25 turnovers Thursday night, which, for most of the game, played right into Oklahoma City's hands. The Pacers, though, did improve as the game went on; 20 of those turnovers came in the first half. Chet Holmgren In a game in which Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 38 and Lu Dort added 15 on five made 3-pointers, center Chet Holmgren underwhelmed. His six points marked his lowest output of the postseason, as did his two made field goals. And then, defensively, Holmgren also struggled at times to find Pacers center Myles Turner, who went 3-of-4 in the fourth quarter.
USA Today
34 minutes ago
- USA Today
NCAA baseball tournament super regional schedule: Breaking down the eight matchups
NCAA baseball tournament super regional schedule: Breaking down the eight matchups We're just one step away from college baseball's elite determining this season's national champion. Well, OK, technically we're two steps away, but you get the idea. This weekend, the remaining 16 teams will square off in best-of-three super regionals, with the eight winners headed to Nebraska and the sport's ultimate destination, the College World Series. Here's a breakdown of all eight pairings with game times and TV channels to help you plan your weekend viewing. Keep in mind, of course, that weather might cause delays at some locales, and the schedules later in the weekend will hinge on which and how many series require third and deciding contests. Miami (Fla.) (34-25) at Louisville (38-21) Game 1: Friday, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN2 Game 2: Saturday, 11 a.m. ET, ESPN This is an all-ACC series, though the Cardinals and Hurricanes happened to be among the teams that missed each other in the regular season thanks to league expansion. The offensive sparks for Louisville are often provided by the outfield duo of Lucas Moore, who is hitting .366 with 48 stolen bases, and Zion Rose, who has 12 homers and a team-high 61 RBI. Miami was not the most consistent squad during the season and was somewhat fortunate to land on the right side of the bubble, but 3B Daniel Cuvet had an all-conference campaign and there are good options out of the bullpen. No. 9 Florida State (41-14) at No. 8 Oregon State (45-13-1) Game 1: Friday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN2 Game 2: Saturday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2 These regular postseason participants from opposite coasts provide one of the more intriguing matchups of the super regional lineup. The Beavers' potent batting order, led by Aiva Arquette and Gavin Turley with 18 homers each, must try to solve Jamie Arnold and the Seminoles' accomplished pitching staff. The series might come down to how well Oregon State's arms can stop the Seminoles. Arizona (42-18) at No. 5 North Carolina (45-13) Game 1: Friday, noon ET, ESPN2 Game 2: Saturday, noon ET, ESPN2 Like most ACC schools, UNC is still seeking its first baseball title. But these Tar Heels might be the ones to deliver, thanks to a deep pitching staff anchored by Jake Knapp and sizzling-hot Gavin Gallaher pacing a high-octane lineup at the plate. The Wildcats' primary catalyst is Mason White, the team's best hitter who is also among the nation's leaders in triples with eight. No. 13 Coastal Carolina (51-11) at No. 4 Auburn (41-18) Game 1: Friday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2 Game 2: Saturday, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN2 The Coastal Carolina program would seem to be in good hands under first-year coach Kevin Schnall, who had big shoes to fill succeeding retired legend Gary Gilmore. The Chanticleers' biggest strength is their pitching depth, sporting the best team ERA (3.22) of all the super regional participants. Auburn leads the SEC in doubles with 129, a good way to keep pressure on opposing pitchers with a steady stream of runners in scoring position. Texas-San Antonio (47-13) at No. 15 UCLA (45-16) Game 1: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU Game 2: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, TBD It seems fitting that the Roadrunners have scored more total runs, 528, than any other squad still alive in the field. Heading the UTSA hit parade is Drew Detlefsen with a team-high 70 RBI. The first challenge for the road team figures to be Bruins righty Michael Barnett, who sports an 11-1 record with 70 strikeouts to just 18 walks. Murray State (42-14) at Duke (40-19) Game 1: Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ESPNU Game 2: Sunday, noon ET, TBD It's no big secret how the Racers got here as a No. 4 seed in its regional. Murray State pounds out 8.8 runs a game, and even managed to surpass that lofty average against the likes of Ole Miss and Georgia Tech in the postseason. It's fair to wonder if the Racers have enough arms to keep Duke's lineup that also puts up over eight runs per contest at bay. The long list of dangerous hitters in this series includes Murray State outfielder Dan Tauken and Blue Devils third baseman Ben Miller. West Virginia (44-14) at No. 6 LSU (46-15) Game 1: Saturday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN Game 2: Sunday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN2 LSU had to work a little harder than expected to prevent Little Rock from becoming the second No. 4 seed to win a regional this year. The Tigers will likely have an equally hard time dispatching the Mountaineers, the comeback kids of the tournament after late rallies to beat Clemson and Kentucky. Jared Jones (20 HR, 69 RBI) is the latest in the long line of LSU sluggers to emerge. At some point he'll likely encounter Reese Bassinger, the workhorse of the WVU bullpen. No. 14 Tennessee (46-17) at No. 3 Arkansas (46-13) Game 1: Saturday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN Game 2: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN One could certainly make the case that this is the marquee matchup of the round of 16, pitting the defending national champion against the highest remaining seed in this year's field. It's also a rematch of the final regular-season series of the SEC campaign, which also took place in Fayetteville just a few weeks ago. The Razorbacks took the latter two contests of that set, including a game two win in which they slapped around Volunteers lefty ace Liam Doyle. Tennessee also has plenty of offensive pop, of course, but Arkansas ranks in the top 15 nationally in both scoring and team ERA thanks to guys like Wehiwa Aloy and Zach Root.
